Highway 68 is now paved and runs from the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing, about 35 km north of [[Samraong]], to National Highway 6 at Kralanh, which is near [[Siem Reap]].

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Highway 68 is now paved and runs from the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing, about 35 km north of [[Samraong]], via Samraong, to National Highway 6 at Kralanh, which is near [[Siem Reap]].

Unpaved highway 56 runs west to [[Sisophon#Get out| the temples of Banteay Chhmar]] and then continues south to [[Sisophon]]. The ride is pretty good in the dry season and respectable speed can be obtained. In the wet season, travelling may be much slower, particularly closer to [[Samraong]].

Unpaved highway 56 runs west to [[Sisophon#Get out| the temples of Banteay Chhmar]] and then continues south to [[Sisophon]]. The ride is pretty good in the dry season and respectable speed can be obtained. In the wet season, travelling may be much slower, particularly closer to [[Samraong]].

Line 27:

Line 27:

* Heading north on the main street one will come across a '''pagoda''', which is of modern construction but pretty and set in a traditional square moat.

* Heading north on the main street one will come across a '''pagoda''', which is of modern construction but pretty and set in a traditional square moat.

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* Slightly further north is a '''lake''', which can provide activities such as loafing and for those who don't need sterile water and chlorine swimming.

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* Slightly further north is a '''lake''', which can provide activities such as loafing and swimming for those who don't need sterile water and chlorine.

==Do==

==Do==

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Line 35:

==Buy==

==Buy==

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'''Acleda Bank''' has an ATM.

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'''Acleda Bank''' has an ATM. The market is the shopping hub.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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Line 57:

==Get out==

==Get out==

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* [[Thailand]] is accessible at the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing. The drive becomes very scenic as the road mounts the Dangrek Mountains. At the border, after immigration, are a couple of '''casino hotels'''. O'Smach town, a collection of attap huts and dirt streets, is just down the hill from the immigration offices and hosts at least three (bricks and mortar) guesthouses for anyone arriving late and not being able to make onward transport. '''Paramount Angkor Transport''' runs buses to O'Smach town, look for the attap hut with bus advertisements on the highway at the turning to the town. On the Thai side, minibuses run to [[Surin]] (60 Baht).

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* [[Thailand]] is accessible at the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing. The drive towards Thailand becomes very scenic as the road ascends the Dangrek Mountains. At the border, between the two countries' immigration offices, are a couple of '''casino hotels'''. Visas are issued at this border, make sure you only pay $20 for a Cambodian tourist visa - touts will try to convince you to pay more. On the Cambodian side, O'Smach town, a collection of attap huts and dirt streets, is less than 1 km down the hill from the immigration offices. It hosts at least three (bricks and mortar) '''guesthouses''' for anyone arriving late and not being able to make onward transport. It also has a market with cafes and a branch of Acleda Bank (no ATM). '''Paramount Angkor Transport''' runs buses to [[Samraong]] and beyond from O'Smach town, look for the attap hut with bus advertisements on the highway at the turning to the town. On the Thai side, minibuses run from Chong Chom to [[Surin]] (60 Baht).

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* The [[Banteay Chhmar]] temple complex, a remote site home to some extremely quiet Angkorian ruins is located 50km west. It can be accessed from Samraong by National Highway 56.

{{IsPartOf|North-western Cambodia}}

{{IsPartOf|North-western Cambodia}}

{{outline}}

{{outline}}

{{cityguide}}

{{cityguide}}

Latest revision as of 09:10, 10 March 2012

Contents

Samraong is a regional hub that travellers in hinterland North-western Cambodia will pass through or use as a base. It is the Cambodian town nearest the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing with Thailand. The town in small and nondescript. Notable reference points are the tall, grey Acleda Bank building on the main street and, to its south, the market.

Highway 68 is now paved and runs from the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing, about 35 km north of Samraong, via Samraong, to National Highway 6 at Kralanh, which is near Siem Reap.

Unpaved highway 56 runs west to the temples of Banteay Chhmar and then continues south to Sisophon. The ride is pretty good in the dry season and respectable speed can be obtained. In the wet season, travelling may be much slower, particularly closer to Samraong.

The road east to Anlong Veng is being paved as of March 2012, at which time all-weather asphalt was in place for all but about 1 km.

Paramount Angkor Transport serves the town with buses to Phnom Penh via Sisophon, Battambang and Pursat. It also runs buses to Siem Reap and O'Smach town (less than 1 km from the border). The company's office is about 50 m north of Acleda Bank.

Shared taxis to any of the nearby towns can be arranged near the market.

Thailand is accessible at the O'Smach/Chong Chom border crossing. The drive towards Thailand becomes very scenic as the road ascends the Dangrek Mountains. At the border, between the two countries' immigration offices, are a couple of casino hotels. Visas are issued at this border, make sure you only pay $20 for a Cambodian tourist visa - touts will try to convince you to pay more. On the Cambodian side, O'Smach town, a collection of attap huts and dirt streets, is less than 1 km down the hill from the immigration offices. It hosts at least three (bricks and mortar) guesthouses for anyone arriving late and not being able to make onward transport. It also has a market with cafes and a branch of Acleda Bank (no ATM). Paramount Angkor Transport runs buses to Samraong and beyond from O'Smach town, look for the attap hut with bus advertisements on the highway at the turning to the town. On the Thai side, minibuses run from Chong Chom to Surin (60 Baht).

The Banteay Chhmar temple complex, a remote site home to some extremely quiet Angkorian ruins is located 50km west. It can be accessed from Samraong by National Highway 56.